Tri-County Honors Top Students
At Annual Awards Ceremony

CONTACT: LISA GARRETT, EXT. 2315

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 5/7/99
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON- You know the difference between excellence and mediocrity, said Diana Walter, commending a group of Tri-County Technical College students being honored at the College's annual awards ceremony.

"You have the courage to pursue excellence, and that's no small accomplishment," said Mrs. Walter, who serves as assistant to the president for enrollment management and retention at the College. "It takes courage to accomplish something worthwhile," she added.

She reminded the students that to be successful in their fields, they must be lifelong learners. "Be proactive in keeping your skills current. Lifelong learning is something you do for yourself. It's the only viable safety net we have in the workplace," she added.

Stay focused on being a part of the solution, not the problem, she said. "You have the tools and attributes to be successful," she said.

Mrs. Walter joined the College in 1980 as a counselor and worked as an advisor and coordinator of educational support projects until 1989 when she accepted the job of executive director of the Partnership for Academic and Career Education (PACE). Under her leadership, the business-education consortium received the U.S Department of Education's award for the best Tech Prep program in the country.

She was named the South Carolina Innovator of the Year for the State Tech System in 1991 and two years later was honored as the State's top Tech Prep coordinator by the State Department of Education/Office of Occupational Education.

After her speech, the following awards were presented:

GiWon Shim, of Clemson, was named Outstanding Early Childhood Development Student.

Yashica R. Thompson, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Dental Assisting Student.

Donald Carlton Dowdy, of Anderson and William Melton Blackmon, of Williamston, were named Outstanding Industrial Mechanics Students.

Deborah W. Robinson, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Practical Nursing Student.

David Edward Sams, of Piedmont, was named Outstanding Welding Student.

Paula B. Henderson, of Westminster, was named Outstanding English Student.

Robert Nathan Lavallee, of Seneca, was named Outstanding Math Student.

Ronande Berryl Creebsburg, of Central, was named Outstanding Science Student.

Deidre Rachelle McClelland, of Fair Play, was named Outstanding Humanities Student.

Linda Elaine Summey, of Easley, was named Outstanding Social Sciences Student.

Melissa Jean McKerrihan, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Developmental English Student.

William Stephen Miller, of Anderson, was named Outstanding Developmental Math Student.

Jackie Bowens, of Pickens, was named Outstanding Developmental Reading Student.

Richard Raymond Gordon, of Williamston, was named Outstanding Student Support Services Student.

Robert Ernest Lewis, Jr., of Anderson, received the Textile Management Mayfair Leadership Award.

Outstanding graduates in each department are:

Accounting - Debra Webster Turner, of Seneca.

Associate Degree Nursing - Teresa Ann Brown, of Lavonia, Georgia.

Associate in Arts - Brandon Frazer Thomas, of Townville.

Associate in Science - Mark Milton Carroll, of West Union.

Business Technology – Samantha Ann Taylor, of Pendleton.

Computer Technology - Teresa Stewart Cannon, of Six Mile.

Criminal Justice Technology - Lashaunda Carole Whitten, of Townville.

Electronics Engineering Technology – Troy Anthony Pater, of Starr.

Engineering Graphics Technology - Benjamin Ryan Baker, of Seneca.

General Engineering Technology (Electro-Mechanical) - Brian Lee New, of Anderson.

General Engineering Technology (Quality Assurance) – Tara Elizabeth Porter, of Mauldin.

Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology - Matthew Lee Holbrooks, of Westminster.

Industrial Electronics Technology - Todd W. H. Cantrell, of Anderson, Earl Elisha Cleveland, Jr., of Liberty, and John Gordon Chatham, of Belton.

Machine Tool Technology - Joseph Albert Davis, of West Union.

Medical Laboratory Technology - Lori Ann Gibbs, of Salem.

Office Systems Technology - Erin Michelle Edwards, of Williamston.

Radio and Television Broadcasting - Ronald Grayson Dove, of Anderson.

Textile Management Technology - Tracey Dale Sanders, of Anderson.

Veterinary Technology- Jennifer Horton Williams, of Spartanburg.
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